The Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County are America's oldest Amish settlement, where tens of thousands still live a centuries-old "Plain" lifestyle. Always a vital part of Lancaster County culture, the PA Amish are involved in agriculture as well as an array of businesses and cottage industries. Arriving in Amish Country allows you to step back in time to enjoy a slower, more peaceful pace – one where the horse & buggy remains a primary form of transportation, and where windmills dot the landscape, providing power harnessed from nature.
Explore Amish-owned businesses, farms, and scenic stays for an all-encompassing itinerary in Lancaster County. Find family-friendly events and Amish-made furniture for your home.
For a fun and unique way to experience Lancaster County, be sure to take a tour of the Pennsylvania Amish countryside — you can even do it in an authentic Amish horse and buggy! Afterwards, explore the many Amish-themed attractions and events, shop for hand-made Amish crafts, and chow down on some authentic PA Dutch cooking — like that found at the Bird-In-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord. You can also experience the Amish with LoKal Experiences, offering an Authentic Lancaster Experience tour and their Unique Amish Immersion Experience. Tours of the Amish Village offer an intimate glimpse into the day-to-day life, as well as the history and beliefs, of Pennsylvania's Amish communities. If visiting in the late winter or early spring, don't miss the Amish "mud sales" that occur at firehouses throughout the region. These annual sales offer steep discounts on handmade Amish goods, produce, farm equipment and more.
Faith-based Amish traditions have remained largely unchanged since settlement in Lancaster County nearly 300 years ago. The Pennsylvania Amish are a private people who believe that God has called them to a simple life of faith, discipline, dedication and humility.
Lancaster County has deep Amish roots and although the County as a whole has electricity, highways, and other modern amenities that you'd expect, there are unique attributes about the area that are a result of its Amish culture influence. For example, as you drive the backroads of Lancaster, you'll see roadside stands with everything from canned vegetables and homemade root beer to fresh-cut flowers and produce. Also on that drive, you may come up a horse and buggy traveling slowly down the road. Additionally, the food scene is strongly impacted by the Amish and English farmers who provide fresh ingredients for farm-to-table delicacies.
Pennsylvania's Amish Country is known for its beautiful landscapes of rolling hills and Amish farmland, as well as its slower pace of life and elements of the traditional Amish lifestyle, including transportation via horse and buggy, farming, and authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine — like that found at the Bird-In-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord. Tours at the Amish Village offer an intimate glimpse into the day-to-day life, as well as the history and beliefs, of Pennsylvania's Amish communities.
What do Amish people believe?
The Amish follow the fundamental beliefs of Christian faith, but this group also upholds values such as simplicity, pacifism, and a separation from mainstream culture.
What do the Amish not allow?
Old Order Amish do not permit using electricity, motor vehicles, televisions, computers, and taking photographs.
What is the Amish lifestyle like?
The Amish people prioritize community and family values. Community church services and family businesses are just a couple of the common practices of the Amish lifestyle. For more information, explore our guide on the Amish lifestyle.
Do Amish people go to grocery stores?
Amish people are allowed to visit grocery stores, convenience shops, and supermarkets. However, Amish communities typically do not visit large chain stores.